30°

Digital Distribution and the Quest for Competition

AE Infinite: "Over the last week there's been a lot of talk about Microsoft bringing Quantum Break to PC but being exclusive to their new digital distribution system that they are working on for Windows 10. With that, there has been a huge uproar with the usual "If it's not on Steam, I'm not buying it!" argument making the rounds. This got me thinking about competition in the digital space for PC gaming, how publishers are approaching it, and how consumers are absorbing it."

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ae-infinite.com
300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest2d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN1d 21h ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

thesoftware7301d 19h ago

A much bigger screen than what?

Number1TailzFan1d 18h ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor1d 2h ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic1d 2h ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv721d 3h ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts1d 1h ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares2d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv721d 22h ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka1d 21h ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion1d 22h ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer1d 22h ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow11d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer1d 15h ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

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news.xbox.com
bionicstar2d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn2d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack1d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18811d 22h ago (Edited 1d 22h ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast2d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

2d ago
Lightning772d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole1d 5h ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

2d ago
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1d 23h ago Replies(1)
Lightning771d 23h ago (Edited 1d 23h ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

1d 23h ago
anast1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning771d 18h ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast1d 18h ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning771d 14h ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast1d 7h ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 1d 5h ago
darthv722d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes2d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Steam’s Refund Policy Change Won’t Affect You Unless You’re A Lowlife

Steam is changing its refund policy, but you probably won’t be affected

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thegamer.com
thorstein5d ago

Should have happened a long time ago. People wanting refunds after 50 hours in game.

fsfsxii5d ago

Pc gamers will take this as an excuse to pirate things

KyRo5d ago

I'm not sure why you're getting disgrees. Whilst not all PC gamers are petty, an awful lot of them are lol

Crows905d ago

Entirely untrue. Not any more petty than console gamers. The only large difference is console gamers don't have much of a choice.

Michiel19894d ago

Not sure why you're getting agrees. an awful lot of console gamers are overemotional twinks ready to go to war over a plastic box, I'll take being a pc gamer then.

Speaking about overgeneralizing much.

Nooderus4d ago

"X" type of gamer conversations are cringe

qalpha5d ago

Daily reminder that 'TheGamer' is a corporate-generated, anti-gamer, anti-consumer, clickbait web site. They are mostly A.I. generated articles that villainize gamers. They provide nothing positive and actively try to provoke and divide the community through extreme view points and politics. Do not give them any clicks.

Inverno5d ago

Only scumbags? As if people don't play their games on console put in the most amount of hours and return it to GameStop and trade it in for another game. But also how many people are actually do this? And what games have been allowed to be refunded?

DustMan5d ago

You can refund any game you've purchased as long as it hasn't been longer than two weeks, and you've played less than 2 hours. I wish they would change it to 3 hours because some RPG's have so much exposition that you may only get an hour total of complete gameplay. That's my only knock on it. I've refunded plenty of stuff I was just curious to try. I typically stay away from Early Access titles which are the only ones affected by this policy change.

Inverno5d ago

Apparently early access doesn't count, only complete games with a play early preorder bonus.

Gaming4Life19815d ago

I definitely know if I want a refund in 2 hours.

SegaSaturn6694d ago

I never liked refunding anything. Even if a film is bad, i dont want my money back. Sometimes things just aren't for me, and it's not the creator's fault necessarily.

Gaming4Life19814d ago

I feel you and i have never walked out on a bad movie cause I payed my money. I also don't refund games cause I'm a gamer and I know what to buy lol. I think having a digital refund is great.

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